The Jamestown Blue Jays are off to their best start in more than a decade.
The first week of fall brings many changes. In a season full of changes, the Blue Jays find a way to keep rolling with the punches.
"Some people fight change, but change is inevitable," said Jamestown High School football head coach Bill Nelson.
The Blue Jays football team is embracing their change.
"It excites me to think about what's going to happen in the future," said Jamestown senior lineman Matt Anderson.
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For the first time in 15 years, the Jamestown Blue Jays are off to their best start.
"Being 3-0 is nice. The underdog effect kind of really helps Jamestown," said senior quarterback Ty Monson. "It brings out the difference in players.
"We have a lot more drive than past years, a lot more attitude, a lot more, 'I'm not letting this guy in front of me beat me,'" said Anderson.
Coach Nelson says this team has a different feel than previous groups. But even in the middle of success, the Blue Jays are still tackling hurdles.
"I told the kids that Williston isn't going to be coming for homecoming," said Nelson.
The Coyotes had players test positive for the coronavirus this week, meaning, Jamestown's homecoming game was now in danger.
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Thirty miles away, though, Valley City also lost their homecoming game with Kindred.
"They right away thought that we weren't going to have a homecoming game and then I said, 'But Valley City is coming to town,'" said Nelson. "And they're like, 'Are you serious?' and I say, 'Yeah.'"
This sudden change does more than ensures a homecoming opponent for the Blue Jays, it reignites one of the oldest rivalries in North Dakota, with the Iron Helmet up for grabs.
"We're not looking to let that thing go anytime soon," said Nelson.
As the Blue Jays work toward 4-0 they're embracing that not all change is bad.
"You want to be tremendously excited, but you also want to take the moment in," said Nelson. "It's just another game and we have bigger games that we want to get to."
The Hi-Liners and Blue Jays will kick Friday's game off at 7 p.m.
